Tension or Guide Rail with an Installation Channel

Abstract

A tension or guide rail for a flexible drive means, in particular for a timing chain of an internal combustion engine, with a carrier body and guide track which can be pressed onto the flexible drive means, where the tension or guide rail comprises an installation channel which is independent of the action of the guide track. The carrier body can comprise at least a first and at least a second carrier-body side part, which are permanently joined together and which jointly define the installation channel. Furthermore, an internal combustion engine with a timing drive comprising a flexible drive means and at least one such tension or guide rail, whereby the flexible drive means is in contact with the guide track and an additional component acting interactively with the internal combustion engine extends through the installation channel at least in some regions.

1 . Tension or guide rail for a flexible drive means with a carrier body and a guide track which can be pressed onto the flexible drive means, comprising an installation channel which acts independently from the guide track and formed as a circumferential surface, and the walls of the installation channel are formed by the carrier body. 
   
   
       2 . Tension or guide rail according to  claim 1 , wherein the carrier body comprises at least a first and at least a second carrier-body side part, the carrier-body side parts being joined together and jointly define the installation channel. 
   
   
       3 . Tension or guide rail according to s  claim 1 , wherein the installation channel is formed with a first open end and a second open end. 
   
   
       4 . Tension or guide rail according to  claim 3 , wherein the first open end and the second open end are arranged on opposite face-side ends of the tension or guide rail. 
   
   
       5 . Tension or guide rail according to  claim 3 , wherein the first open end the second open end, or both the first and second open end is formed with one of a protruding connection piece and for accepting a connection piece. 
   
   
       6 . Tension or guide rail according to  claim 1 , wherein the tension or guide rail comprises a slideway liner which is joined to the carrier body and forms the guide track. 
   
   
       7 . Tension or guide rail according to  claim 6 , wherein the slideway liner is injected onto at least one carrier-body side part. 
   
   
       8 . Tension or guide rail according to  claim 6 , wherein the slideway liner is joined to the carrier body in a positive locking manner. 
   
   
       9 . Timing chain drive for an internal combustion engine, comprising a timing chain and at least one tension or guide rail having a carrier body and a guide track pressed onto the timing chain, the tension or guide rail having an installation channel which acts independently from the guide track and which is formed enclosed on its a circumferential surface, and the walls of the installation channel are formed by the carrier body. 
   
   
       10 . Internal combustion engine having a timing drive comprising a flexible drive means and at least one tension or guide rail according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible drive means is in contact with the guide track and an additional component interacting with the internal combustion engine extends through the installation channel at least in some sections. 
   
   
       11 . Internal combustion engine having a timing chain drive, comprising a timing chain and at least one tension or guide rail having a carrier body and a guide track pressed onto the timing chain, the tension or guide rail having an installation channel which acts independently from the guide track and which is formed enclosed on its circumferential surface, the walls of the installation channel being formed by the carrier body, an additional component interacting with the internal combustion engine, and at least some sections of the additional component extending through the installation channel.